The Deadly Charm

Part 44 : The Price of Mistakes (Part 3)

The Morning of Deception

The sun spilled through the sheer curtains, casting a golden hue across the quiet kitchen. The soft rustle of a coffee grinder filled the air, followed by the bubbling hum of freshly brewed espresso. Kongkiat moved with practiced ease, arranging cookies on a porcelain plate, each one placed with care.

He was setting a scene.

A domestic illusion.

And it was all for one woman—Yanawadee.

The scent of chocolate and butter wafted through the apartment, warm and inviting. He poured the coffee into matching cups, delicate white porcelain trimmed with gold. He even dusted the latte foam with cocoa, forming a heart. Smiling at his handiwork, he knew this was exactly the kind of attention to detail that would earn her trust.

Behind the bedroom door, Yanawadee stirred. The aroma reached her first—nostalgic, comforting, dangerous. She slipped into a robe, leaving it carelessly untied, and padded barefoot into the kitchen. Her eyes widened with delight when she saw him.

"Doing something special this morning?" she asked, voice syrupy.

"Didn't expect you up so soon." Kongkiat smiled and pulled her into a kiss, lips brushing her forehead like a lover's promise.

"What's this?" she gestured to the tray.

"Cookies and coffee. Your favorites."

"You're trying to make me fall for you all over again, aren't you?" she teased, eyes sparkling with affection—and dominance.

"I thought I already did."

She leaned in and kissed him, slow and lingering. Her tongue found his with a possessiveness that declared, You're mine again. Kongkiat responded with equal hunger, lifting her effortlessly onto the kitchen table. Their bodies pressed close. Her robe slipped open. He kissed down her neck, trailing his lips along the curve of her chest.

Soft gasps turned to moans.

He knew her. Every sigh, every spot that made her tremble. And she let him have her again, right there in the morning light, as the cookies and coffee grew cold on the counter.

A Taste of Poison

Afterward, breathless and flushed, Yanawadee collapsed onto a nearby chair, giggling as she rested her head on the cool table. Her eyes wandered to the cookies.

"I'm starving," she murmured.

Kongkiat placed a mug beside her. "Your coffee, madam."

She smiled, picked up a cookie, and took a bite.

Crunch. Sweetness. Satisfaction.

"Mmm, you picked the perfect kind," she said, reaching for another. "These are amazing."

Kongkiat chuckled and picked one up himself. "I know. I have great taste."

They shared breakfast like lovers in a domestic daydream, laughing, sipping, nibbling. But beneath the surface of their banter, something else pulsed—poison.

Unseen. Unfelt... for now.

A Shadow of Suspicion
Later That Morning

Yanawadee walked into the office, dressed sharply, her hair swept into a clean knot, makeup flawless. She was radiant. Confident. Triumphant.

But her steps were calculated.

She arrived late on purpose. She wanted whispers. She wanted control.

And most of all—she wanted to see the aftermath.

Where's Akira?

That question beat like a drum in her chest as she scanned the room. The desk—empty. No laptop. No stack of papers. Just silence.

She approached a nearby coworker, smiling sweetly.

"Akira's not in today?"

The woman looked up, mildly surprised. "Oh, she's out sick. Didn't feel well yesterday, and apparently got worse this morning."

Yanawadee nodded, lips curling slightly. "Hope it's nothing serious."

But inside, she was exultant.

Her plan was working.

She returned to her office with a spring in her step. Sat at her desk. Folded her hands. And smiled.

Yes, she thought. This is the power of control.

But she didn't notice that behind that fragile smile, the shadow of fate had already begun to shift.

Because in a world of spirits, curses, and divine interference...

No one escapes the price of a poisoned heart.